The Big Event director brings big changes
March 23, 2015
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Hannah Haney '15
The Big Event is an organization that encourages all Texas A&M University students to give back to their community one day a year.
At the helm of the March 28 event is Big Event Director Kevin Brooks, a business management senior. He will lead a record number of volunteers, estimated around 20,503, as well as a transition to a new location – Research Park – after Big Event outgrew its previous location in Lot 100 at Reed Arena.
Other changes this year are the acceptance of honored faculty and staff members to speak at the event. Computer Science Associate Professor Scott Schaefer’s nomination stood out above the rest. Also, Big Event organizers will be able to purchase additional tools after they reallocated funds from live bands to a DJ, which is being hosted by Red Bull.
Since its establishment in 1982 by then-vice president of the Student Government Association Joe Nussbaum, the Big Event continues to grow in size and in impact. Already the largest one-day, student-run service project in the nation, The Big Event has expanded to encompass 110 other schools across the United Statues and now to international schools in Spain, Australia, Germany, Pakistan and Italy. The ultimate vision is to establish a Big Event at every school for students to be able to give back to their surrounding communities.
The Big Event leadership team is composed of individuals who exemplify selfless service, are hard-working and practice humility in their daily lives. Those who fulfill leadership roles in the organization are temporarily elevated to celebrity status for their involvement in one of Texas A&M’s longest-standing traditions.
A new director is chosen each year through an application process, based on their service to Texas A&M. Brooks credits his strong support system and management courses at Mays Business School for helping to instill those values.
“The Big Event is about investing in people,” Brooks said. “I loved every management class I took, and I loved learning about people and what keeps them going. Through my classes and professors I have been able to see what a truly good leader is, not just a manager of a budget.”
Though the leadership is an essential element of Big Event, he stresses the importance of volunteers to the overall success of the event.
“Everyone who knows this mission is aware that you don’t always see an impact right away,” Brooks said. “The people I work with are extremely selfless, ambitious and full of joy. They are not afraid of delayed gratification and are OK with waiting for the best results.”
Brooks is a sixth-generation Texan and comes from a line of Aggies. When he is not busy with the Big Event, he is a member of the Aggie Men’s Club. He hopes to continue his culture of serving others after graduation.
“If I can see that I’m directly benefiting someone or if I am making someone’s life better in some way, shape or form, I will be satisfied,” he said.
ABOUT MAYS BUSINESS SCHOOL
Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School educates more than 5,600 undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students in accounting, finance, management, management information systems, marketing and supply chain management. Mays consistently ranks among the top public business schools in the country for its undergraduate and MBA programs, and for faculty research. The mission of Mays Business School is creating knowledge and developing ethical leaders for a global society.
